Yes, it’s that time of year again! Deck the halls with boughs of holly and let the festivities begin! It’s been another long year and it’s time to party! Christmas is a time for families and friends to get together and celebrate. However, did you know that the Christmas period also represents one of the most dangerous times of the year too? As we all gear ourselves up for the big day and get ourselves in the festive spirit, many of us forget the potential threats Christmas can bring.
Don’t Play with Fire
Fire is no laughing matter and failure to prevent fires from happening can easily ruin anybody’s Christmas. Even the smallest of house fires can cause nasty smoke damage to your interior walls and you don’t want to deal with this across the festive season. More damaging house fires can cause serious affects to your body; including heat damage, asphyxiation and/or lung irritation. So be extra careful this Christmas and make sure you eliminate any potential fire hazards before they turn your holiday into a nightmare.
Below you will find a list of potential threats that can increase your chances of a house fire around Christmas time.
Decorations and Christmas Lights
Fairy lights are part-and-parcel of any Christmas tree decoration but they are also one of the main causes of Christmas calamities. If you are using one set of lights ever year and not buying new ones, then make sure you check them thoroughly as you put them up. Discard any lights that have frayed wires or cracked fittings and make sure any replaced bulbs have the appropriate wattage. Make sure you keep any decorations away from lights, open flames or anything that could potentially ignite them.
- NEVER overload plug sockets
- NEVER connect more than one extension cord together
- ALWAYS turn decoration lights off when leaving the house or going to bed
- ALWAYS watch children and pets around lights and sockets
- ALWAYS test your smoke and CO2 alarms on a regular basis
Candles and Open Fires
This is an obvious one but one worth mentioning nonetheless. Christmas is a time for sitting around an open fire, lighting scented candles and anything else that makes the inside of your home all warm and snuggly. However, open flames like these are extremely dangerous without due care and attention. Make sure you do not overload your house with candles and put them in safe places – perhaps on your table or the mantelpiece. Never leave a room with open flames for too long and make sure you extinguish them properly before leaving the house or going to bed.
Christmas Trees
The tree is usually the focal point of your festive decorations – the centre of your Christmas masterpiece. Real Christmas fir trees are extremely popular as they add a sense of authenticity and a feel of nature. However, a genuine Christmas tree is perhaps one the most flammable objects you can place in your house. Even the tallest of trees will go up literally in a matter of seconds. Therefore it is extremely important that you keep your tree away from open flames, plug sockets and anything else that may possibly ignite the pines.
Too Much Christmas Tipple
You probably won’t be surprised to know that we, ourselves, pose the biggest risk to our health and safety during the Christmas period. Cold weather, dangerous driving conditions and food poisoning aside – our own silly festive antics are responsible for most Christmas related accidents and injuries. Did you know that one of the most common visits to casualty in the month of December involves people pulling Christmas jumpers over their head whilst they have a lit cigarette in their mouth? As stupid as this may sound, it happens quite a lot!
The majority of us love a little Christmas cocktail over the holiday period as we celebrate with our friends and loved ones. Please make sure that you drink in moderation and be aware of your surroundings whilst downing your tipple! Blind drunkenness mixed with open flames and hanging wires is not a good combination! So remember, stay clean, stay safe and have a fabulous Christmas!
